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Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Sizzix Pro VS Accuquilt GO!

I just heard about the Sizzix Big Shot Pro machine and how you can use it for fabric not just for scrapbooking. It looks like it will use the GO! dies as well as all the Ellison and other scrapbooking dies out there. Has anyone used it? What did you think? Since the GO was on back order I have an opportunity to choose between the 2. So far, from what I have heard, I'm leaning toward the Sizzix. Any input would be helpful!Thanks!!XOP

I can tell you that I use the accuquilt 31/2 inch square,the rectangle 31/2 by 61/2, and round flower in my sizzix big kick as they are 5x10 and fit the smaller machine. After looking into the Pro and the Accucut I decided that I will be getting the sizzix Big Shot Pro.

The Sizzix will cut the Accuquilt dies but the Accuquilt Go machine does not want to cut the sizzix dies.

Coming in February, westminster fabrics will be adding more quilt dies to the sizzix line up.

I do have a few of the sizzix quilt dies that fit my smaller big kick machine as well as my scrapping dies that are shaped in ways that can be used in quilting.

For me, a quilter and a scrapbooker, the Big Shot Pro is the way to go. I can use the Pro for both.

When you use the Accu go dies in the sizzix, you need to make a cardboard or cardstock shim as they are not as thick as the sizzix dies and need to ba made bigger. Also, you will need a set of extended cutting mats as they are long but a 40% at Michaels cuts down on the expense.

I have been cutting fabric for a long time on my very old Sizzix machine. I use it mainly for small appliqué projects and I love it. My opinion would be to go with the Sizzix, since it takes the GO dies, it seems more versatile.

I have the *original* Sizzix machine. I bought it way back for scrapbooking activities that have since fallen by the wayside. But it also cuts fabric wonderfully! The only downside is the dies weren't especially designed for quilting applications.

My friend and neighbor has a Big Shot Pro (the electric version .... no hand cranking!) that she lets me borrow. WOWSERS! Big Shot is awesome! It cuts through several layers of felt, fabric effortlessly.

An added enticement is that Sizzix dies are *less expensive* than the GO! dies, and as had been said previously, you can use the GO! dies with the Sizzix machine.

I wasn't a big fan of fused embellishments for quilts but the Sizzix (and its dies) have really changed my mind.

From what I've seen, the Sizzix looks like a better machine. Since you sometimes have problems with your hands, I would go for the Sizzix electric one that you don't need to crank any handle. Kelly at I Have a Notion seems to be pretty knowledgable about it. I would suggest you email her as she is very helpful.

I have been trying to understand the value prop of the various cutting systems too. Kelly (IHAN) has the best comparison review I've seen. Personally, I like the storage feature of the GO! and their focus on creating dies for quilters whereas Sizzex is focused on dies for Scrapbookers. But the fact you can use the GO! dies on the Sizzex is a big plus. I just think there are some limitations on the larger GO! dies. Have seen some that have shaved off the GO! dies to allow them to fit inside the Sissex, but not sure on what the specific max width is for Sissex.

I vote for the Sizzix machine. I own both Sizzix and Accuquilt, and for me, Sizzix wins this one, hands down! For one, the Sizzix warranty on the machine and dies is twice as long as the Accuquilt warranty. The Sizzix machine has a wider height for the die to fit through and has the ability to cut through many other substances besides fabric and paper. I can even cut foam shapes to use as fabric stamps using my dies! The other thing is that Sizzix has many beautiful scrapbook dies that work great as applique shapes-the Accuquilt applique dies are pretty boring. The last thing is the durability of the machines. My Sizzix seems solid and the handle is easy to turn. The Accuquilt handle is harder to turn and seems like it could break pretty easily. For me, Accuquilt is no competition for Sizzix.

I was thinking about buying the Go Cutter but I thought it was just way too expensive. I recently bought the Big Shot but I didn't buy it for cutting fabric for quilting. I was in a craft store, browsing through the paper, saw a cutter and the sales clerk was so knowledgeable about it, I bought one. But she didn't know anything about using it for quilting, she only knew the paper side of it. But when I got it home and looked on-line, I was pretty amazed at how much quilting stuff you could cut with it. As a matter of fact, the first thing I cut with it was a piece of flannel. Cuts great! I was entertaining the possiblilty of a Go Cutter but in the end I'm glad I started with this cutter even though it wasn't a planned purchase at all.

Cutting Paper with Sizzix Dies does not dull the blades on bit....how nice is that? The dies have been constructed so well that you can cut all the paper you want....and use it for quilting too. You know my vote- I own the Big Shot, Big Shot Pro and a Vagabond....I'm pretty dog gone happy about it too :)

how do you adjust the accuquilt dies to go through the new BSP sizzix fabric cutter? the tray is largethe dies are small - we have tried to cut and several layers are not cut through - is this because we have not added enough layers under the die? we were scared of adding too many layers and having it too thick any advise????

Maya, that is my understanding, but you should ask the sales people directly. A good resource is Kelly over at I have a Notion. She sells both and could readily tell you the correct answer! Good Luck. Sorry I could not respond directly to you but you are set as a "no reply" . You may want to include your email address in the future so people can email you directly.

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